7. REVEALED
REVEALED
IVY
I pulled up, ready to drop Karson off in the same place I’d picked him up before we went to the water park that morning.
He leaned over, grabbing his things from the back seat before we climbed out of the car and stepped onto the sidewalk.
“Ivy, I need to tell you something.” He met my gaze with a worried look. “And before you say anything, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before. It’s just that I try to avoid sharing what I’m about to say, because people always treat me differently. Like I’m not me anymore.”
I studied him in confusion.
“I know this makes no sense.” He stared at the ground.
“You’re right. It doesn’t,” I said, a knot forming in my stomach. “What is it, Karson? You can tell me.”
“Maybe it’s easier to show you than tell you. Do you trust me?”
“Sure. But what’s going on?”
He took my hand. “Come with me.”
We started down the road in the opposite direction from the resort as I glanced back at the enormous white building behind us.
Isn’t he staying at the resort? Why’s he bringing me up here?
We kept walking, only slowing down when we reached the marina.
I took in the endless rows of boats bobbing under the sunshine. “Whoa, this is so cool. Let’s get a selfie,” I said, whipping my phone out as I leaned in closer and snapped a few photos.
Karson pulled out his phone and stepped in closer beside me. As he brushed against me, my skin tingled. He took some selfies before his gaze lingered on me.
He took my hand in his and led me up the walkway toward the locked gate as I arched a curious eyebrow in his direction.
But he stayed silent, then punched in the gate code. With my hand in his, we stepped through the threshold into the marina.
Maybe he’s hired a boat and we’re going for a last-minute joyride. But if that’s it, why’s he acting so cagey?
We zigzagged through the marina, at last stopping in front of a large, glimmering, white catamaran.
He let go of my hand and stepped over the gap from the dock onto the deck of the boat, stretching his arm out for me to take his hand. “Come on.”
“Karson, what are we doing here? We’ll get in trouble. You can’t just climb on some random boat,” I whispered, looking around anxiously.
“You’re right. The boat is private property, yes.” He shifted his weight. “But I promise you, the owner won’t mind.”
Ignoring his outstretched hand, I leapt across the gap and landed beside him on the deck.
He walked to the door, opened it, and stepped inside.
Shaking my head, I followed him.
My jaw dropped as I took in the elegant décor. This was no ordinary boat. I tilted my head, baffled. Why are we here?
Karson gestured to the sofa. “Please, make yourself comfortable.”
As he opened a cupboard, I moved to the sofa and sat waiting in silence. He pulled out a glass, filled it with ice and bottled water, then handed it to me.
“Karson, what’s this all about?” I asked impatiently.
He swallowed hard. “Okay,” he said, running the tip of his tongue over his top lip, “there’s something I haven’t told you. I won’t sugarcoat it.”
My impatience faded. “What is it?”
He rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m the son of Karlos Wells, the global magnate—also known as a ruthless bastard.” His mouth turned down at one corner. “And a billionaire.”
I stared at him, searching for any sign he was messing with me. Surely this is some sort of joke.
After a few seconds, I looked around the spacious cabin. But there was no camera crew… and he wasn’t smiling.
“This boat,” he said, waving his hand around the cabin, “was a graduation present from my father. His company, SolStar, is worth billions.”
With a nervous chuckle, I looked away.
“Ivy? I know I should have told you”
“At least we’re not breaking and entering.” I smiled up at him. “And suddenly I feel a lot better about you paying for lunch.”
A grin spread across his face, the tension easing for a moment. “It’s rare that I meet new people and can just be myself.” He sat down beside me.
“Karson.” I let out a small sigh. “I don’t care about your money. And if you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m crazy about you. Money or no money, it doesn’t change how I feel about you. I hope it doesn’t change how you feel about me either.”
He took my hand in his and squeezed. “Of course it doesn’t. And if you haven’t figured it out by now, I’m completely crazy about you, Ivy.”
“But don’t lie to me again. And that includes lying by omission.”
“Sorry. I should have told you sooner.”
“And here I was thinking you were just using me for my prize money!” I said, arching an eyebrow.
He broke into laughter and wrapped his arms around me, drawing me closer. His heart pounded against my chest, then his lips found mine.
“I really wish this didn’t have to end,” I whispered.
Gazing at me, he rested his hand on my thigh. “Me too.”
“But I don’t have a choice. Dyson and I are already cutting it fine. If we hit any bad weather on the way back, it could delay our arrival. There’ll be hell to pay with my father if I don’t make it on time,” he said, staring out the window.
My heart sank.
“Plus, Dyson’s got to get going. He’s leaving the country as soon as we get to Sydney.”
“Where’s he headed?”
“He’s moving to San Francisco. He wants to be an entrepreneur… I mean, he pretty much always has been anyway. During high school he was always working on some venture. He’s got a genuine talent for it.”
“That’s cool. Will he study business or something?”
“He’s not interested in college. He said it’ll just hold him back.”
I laughed. “He sounds great.”
“Yeah, he’s a good mate.”
The boat swayed gently as we sat quietly for a moment. I tried to silence the sadness I felt closing in. Every passing second brought us closer to his leaving.
“Ivy!” He beamed. “Come with me!”
My heart kicked hard against my ribs.
“Sail to Sydney with me so we can spend some more time together. You’ve got a while before your modeling contract starts. I can book you a flight home. What do you think? Say yes!” He closed his hands around mine.
Let me think. That’s a hell yes. How could I say no?
But before I could find the words, the strap of my dress slipped off my shoulder.
He went very still, and I traced along the crest of his lip with my fingertip. His head tipped back, a low groan escaping.
“You know,” I said, my tongue brushing my top lip, “you haven’t even given me a tour.”
“I can fix that… what would you like to see first?” His fingers swept slowly across my shoulder, before sliding lower.
My hand roamed over his chest, feeling the steady rise beneath my palm. “Well… if I’m going to be a passenger, I think we should start with the cabin.”
Fire blazed in those eyes, and a slow smile curved his mouth. “Excellent choice,” he replied, his voice lower. “But fair warning, I may never want you to leave.”
“Perfect,” I murmured, my lips parting to meet his.
This time, there was no hesitation.
His hand slipped to the back of my neck, holding me close as he drew me into the kiss. Teasing and unhurried, his teeth grazed over my bottom lip and his tongue slid deeper in slow, deliberate strokes.
A soft breath escaped as I melted against his hard chest, my fingers twisting into his shirt.
He tensed instantly. His hand sliding from my waist to the small of my back, I felt the full length of him—solid, unmistakable.
“Ivy,” he groaned.
I pulled back just enough to see him, then I kissed him again.
He lifted me easily and carried me below deck before setting me down on the bed.
The rest of the world fell away as the cabin closed in around us—dim light, soft movement, the quiet creak of the boat.
He laced his fingers through mine, lowering himself on top of me as we breathed each other in. Reluctantly freeing a hand, I slipped it inside his shirt, running it down his chest, exploring the warmth of his skin and the strength beneath it.
He drew in a sharp breath as I traced my fingers lower, reaching beneath the waistband of his jeans, unfastening them slowly.
His grip tightened around my waist, his lips trailing along my neck, then my jaw, until he found my waiting mouth.
I arched against him, but he pressed me back, slipping my top over my head before tugging his shirt free with one hand.
His gaze darkened and he moved lower, my breath catching as his mouth moved over my stomach.
When I lifted slightly, he peeled off my jeans.
Every small movement drew me further into him.
I felt it in the way I leaned into him. In the way my hands explored the rugged lines of his body. In the way neither of us pulled away.
There was only his touch. Only him. Only us.
For the first time… I didn’t think about what came next.
***
For a while, we lay still on the bed, neither of us moving.
There was nothing else. Just the quiet rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek.
His hand drifted slowly along my back, tender and grounding.
I traced lazy circles against his skin, my body not ready to let go of the moment—or him.
“Stay,” he murmured against my hair.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.
As we lay pressed together, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
And for that brief, perfect moment… it was.
***
SYDNEY | ONE WEEK LATER
IVY
There was no chance to say goodbye to Dyson at daybreak while he was still fast asleep. Karson and I walked hand in hand out to the front of the Sydney Harbour marina to get a cab.
As we stood on the sidewalk, waiting in the half-light, my mind wandered back to my dad. I’d been hoping to visit him and had called yesterday.
But they told me even the staff going into his room unsettled him, and they were trialing some new medications to try and improve the situation.
“Visitors aren’t a good idea right now,” they said.
We set up a plan for me to have regular video calls—once he settled back into a routine. And even if he wasn’t up for talking, at least I’d see his face.
Karson squeezed my hand, we stood beneath the haze of the streetlight, moths buzzing in the yellow glow. A sleek black Range Rover pulled in beside us.
The door opened before the driver stepped out. He was in his sixties with dark gray hair, a portly frame, and stood a full foot shorter than Karson.
He greeted Karson fondly, smiling at me warmly before rushing to open the rear door. He gestured for us to get in.
“Gus, how did you know I was back?” Karson said, agitated. “What are you doing here?”
Gus frowned, an air of gloom descending over his face. “Your father sent me. He wants to see you immediately. My instructions are to take you straight to his office as soon as we drop your visitor off at the airport.”
Wait—how did Karson’s father know we were going to the airport? Or that we’d arrived in Sydney?
I didn’t think he’d told his father about—
“How the fuck did he know my movements?” Karson’s angry voice cut through my thoughts. “Let alone know we were planning on heading to the airport. That son of a bitch has to control everything!”
“You know Karlos. He has his ways and means of knowing everything,” Gus replied, his shoulders sagging.
Fear seeped into the pit of my stomach, and I was a little relieved to be going to the airport. Karson’s father sounded like someone I had little desire to meet.
After Karson introduced me quickly to Gus, we climbed into the back seat and shut the door.
“Ivy, I’m so sorry. This is not how I planned our goodbye.”
I took his hand. “It’s okay.”
After a brief ride, the car pulled into the drop-off zone for departures, and we stepped out onto the pavement.
Karson’s arms circled me, holding me tight. When he loosened his grip, our lips met as he brushed my cheek with his fingers. I wanted him to keep holding me and never let go…
But just like we’d planned during our trip together, he would go to college in Brisbane so we could be closer to each other.
It’s going to be perfect.
Still, we’d be apart for weeks… a few tears escaped, trickling down my cheeks.
Karson brushed a tear from my cheek with his thumb. “We’ll be together soon, just like we talked about,” he whispered, sending a shiver down my spine.
This trip meant so much to me. My lips parted… but the lump in my throat choked my words. I’m going to miss you so much it hurts.
After pressing a warm kiss to my forehead, he let go of my hand and stepped away.
“Goodbye, Firefly.” His jaw clenched, his muscles tensing.
“Goodbye, City Boy,” I stammered, holding back my tears as I watched his powerful frame climb into the Range Rover.
He slumped against the champagne-colored seat, and for a fleeting moment, his gaze found mine through the open window.
Then he was gone.